Donna Mae Scholz

Donna Mae E. Scholz, age 94 of St. Francis, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by her loving family. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 17 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis with Rev. Jimmy Joseph officiating. Interment will be at the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. The St. Francis Christian Mothers will pray a rosary at 4 p.m. Friday evening at the church.

Donna Mae Elizabeth Notch was born September 26, 1929 in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to Herman and Veronica (Herzog) Notch. She attended country school in St. Francis from grades 1 through 8 and then attended Upsala Area Schools from the 9^th through 12^th grades and graduated in 1948. She was united in marriage to Arnold Scholz on June 25, 1952 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Donna Mae worked as a secretary at Upsala Area Schools until marriage, then helped her husband on their dairy farm where they lovingly raised eight children.

She was a faith filled woman and a lifetime member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where she was a member of the St. Francis Christian Mothers, Sewing Circle, choir, and a rosary leader for many years. Donna Mae had a love for flowers and enjoyed gardening, quilting, and sewing.  She was an excellent cook and baker and could often be found looking at recipes.  Donna Mae was a kind, loving and caring woman, putting other’s needs before her own.  She was hard-working, having enduring strength and determination, as well as a most tender heart, especially for those going through difficult times. 

Along with her Catholic faith, family was everything to her. Survivors include her children, Mary (Jim) Koczur of Upsala, JoAnn (Jeff) Mo of Sauk Rapids, Michael (Lori) Scholz of Bowlus, David (Renee) Scholz of Upsala, Denise (Joe) LaForce of Little Falls, Stephen (Bonita) Scholz of Melrose, Eugene (Hilary) Scholz of Wausau, Wisconsin, and James Scholz of St. Francis; 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; sister, Eileen (Don) Stiller of Rochester; and brother, Allen (Myrna) Notch of Freeport.

Donna Mae was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Arnold Scholz on January 13, 2023; parents; son, Joseph Scholz; great-granddaughter, Zita Storey; and brothers, Roger Notch and Denis Notch.